3 Indian players who should play county cricket before the England tour

The IPL has reached its halfway stage, and the focus will soon shift to international cricket with India's upcoming test against Afghanistan, which will be Afghanistan's first inaugural test match.

But India's real challenge lies after this one-off test. The Indian side will travel to England to play three T20Is, three ODIs and five Tests, beginning from July 3rd.

Indian batsmen often struggle in the alien conditions of England, and to overcome this problem Indian skipper Virat Kohli will play county cricket for Surrey, before the commencement of the England series.

Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Varun Aaron are also playing county cricket currently.

Let us take a look at three other players who should play country cricket before the England tour.

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#3 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma recently led the Indian side to glory in the Nidahas Trophy, but his personal form has garnered a lot of criticism.

The flamboyant batsman struggled in India's previous overseas tour in South Africa. He had a dismal time as he failed to score a single half-century in the three-match test series.

The Mumbai Indians skipper has been in and out of the Indian side due to his poor form.

With Ajinkya Rahane's recent struggles in the Test arena, the Indian selectors may look towards Rohit as an alternate option. Both Mumbaikars have had their share of struggles in the alien conditions in England. Rahane is better equipped to bat in those conditions.

The Mumbai Indians captain should look to spend some time in county cricket before the England tour.

He can work on his game which will help him regain his spot in the Indian test XI. The two Mumbai lads will have to face each other for the number five spot.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan has been in unbelievable form

Shikhar Dhawan has batted India out of many crucial situations in recent years. Dhawan has been unstoppable in limited overs cricket, and has improved his technique and even bettered his temperament.

Despite these improvements, he lacks the calibre to score big in tough conditions in England. Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul will be important for India's chances in England, and the three will battle it out for the two opening slots in the Indian team.

The Indian side would want the openers to lay a platform for the middle order. Dhawan averages only 20.33 in Tests in England, but showed wonderful form in the Champions Trophy in England last year.

The southpaw can score quickly which can put the opposition on the backfoot. He should spend some time in English conditions to deal better with the swinging ball.

#1 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has solved India's all-rounder problems

Before the England tour in 2011, the Indian side was searching for a pace-bowling all-rounder. The lack of depth in all-rounders forced India to back Praveen Kumar, who had just returned from an injury. Kumar swung the ball upfront but failed with the bat.

With poor technique and aggressive survival instincts, the Uttar Pradesh bowler swung at everything.

Apart from his 17-ball 40, he could not contribute to the score. After a long wait, the Indian side finally found a pace-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. Pandya was considered as the perfect man to fulfil the all-rounder's role in Tests.

The English conditions will help Pandya swing the ball, and can prove to be a vital player as he has improved as a bowler in the last one and a half year. With an increase in his pace, his ability to surprise the batsman has increased.

His batting would be beneficial for the side too. Pandya can bat at number seven and can also chip in with crucial overs. The youngster has not played Test cricket in England yet and a short stint in county cricket will help him gain some invaluable experience.